I look at things from three levels now that I have had 27 years to go back to the Light and get more and more layers. I would say that my first experience was a "wonder child experience". It was wonderful. It was amazing.Interview with Mellen-Thomas Benedict, most researched US American near-death experiencer, inventor, author, Interview with Mellen-Thomas Benedict, presented by web edition of US American Wisdom Magazine, Edie Weinstein Moser, interfaith minister and social worker, 2009

General quotes

Personal avowals

Question: Was my essence separate or did I feel integrated to something universally larger?Answer: I was integrated to something universally larger. We are all connected, we are all part of it, we're all one, but I still retained my identity.

I had one of the strangest assignments possible for a physician in Vietnam. I functioned basically as a high-powered medic, beyond anything that would resemble a M.A.S.H. unit, carrying basically an aid bag and a rifle around. I actually went on patrols, spent hundreds of hours in helicopters, and fortunately got back alive – which took some doing. It was a daily confrontation with one’s own mortality. I was in combat for the entire time, and this experience certainly makes one humble about the blessings one has in this culture. I can assure you that, and I’ve reflected on that every day since I came back from Vietnam. It’s been a kind of indwelling presence really – the fact that I did remain alive – and it's filled me with gratitude. […] It was a confrontation with the immediacy of death, and it really was a powerful experience for me. […] If we acknowledge that consciousness is nonlocal – that it's infinite in space and time — then this really opens up all sorts of possibilities for the survival of consciousness following physical death. Interview with Larry Dossey, M.D. (*1940) US American internist, pioneer of spiritualizing healthcare, public speaker, author on complementary medicine, Mavericks of Medicine, presented by Smart Publications, David Jay Brown (*1961) US American parapsychologist, consciousness researcher, interviewer, writer, January 2006

I have never interviewed anyone who had a near-death experience who told me that they came back to make more money or to spend more time at their jobs away from their families… Instead, they become convinced that they need to be more loving and kind. They react to their experience by living life to its fullest. They believe their lives have a purpose, even if that purpose is obscure to them. Invariably it involves concepts such as love of family or service to others. They seem to know that the love they create while living will be reflected and radiated back to them when they die. Melvin Morse, M.D. (*1953) US American pediatrician, researcher in near-death experiences, author, Parting Visions. Uses and Meanings of Pre-Death, Psychic, and Spiritual Experiences, Harper Collins, reprint January 1996

Atwater's books are based on first-person commentaries from over 3,000 adult experiencers of near-death states.

Question: What does it feel like to die?Answer: Any pain to be suffered comes first. Instinctively you fight to live. That is automatic.Your body goes limp. Your heart stops. No more air flows in or out.You lose sight, feeling, and movement – although the ability to hear goes last.Identity ceases. The "you" that you once were becomes only a memory.There is no pain at the moment of death. Only peaceful silence. […] calm […] quiet. But you still exist.If you expect to die when you die you will be disappointed. The biggest surprise for most people in dying is to realize that dying does not end life. You can still think, you can still remember, you can still see, hear, move, reason, wonder, feel, question, and tell jokes – if you wish.Actually, you're more alive after death than at any time since you were last born. Excerpted from P. M. H. Atwatercinemind.com/atwater (*1937) US American writer, researcher on life and death issues, New Thought spirituality, Beyond the Light. The Mysteries and Revelations of Near-Death Experiences, Avon Books, New York City, 1994, and We Live Forever. The Real Truth about Death, A.R.E. Press, Virginia Beach, Viriginia, 2004

Tholos, seen from above, Delphi, Greece

Daily creed:➢ I believe God's promises are true. ➢ I believe heaven is real. ➢ I believe nothing can separate me from God's love. ➢ I believe God still has work for me to do here on earth.➢ I believe God will see me through and carry me when I cannot walk.

If you can demonstrate that consciousness continues after the brain switches off, it allows for the possibility that the consciousness is a separate entity. It is unlikely that we will find many cases where this happens, but we have to be open-minded. And if no one sees the pictures, it shows these experiences are illusions or false memories. This is a mystery that we can now subject to scientific study. Contrary to popular perception, death is not a specific moment. It is a process that begins when the heart stops beating, the lungs stop working and the brain ceases functioning – a medical condition termed cardiac arrest. During a cardiac arrest, all three criteria of death are present. There then follows a period of time, which may last from a few seconds to an hour or more, in which emergency medical efforts may succeed in restarting the heart and reversing the dying process. What people experience during this period of cardiac arrest provides a unique window of understanding into what we are all likely to experience during the dying process. Sam Parnia, M.D., US American assistant professor of medicine, State University of New York, Stony Brook, leader of the AWARE Study of near-death experiences involving many hospitals in the UK and US, University of Southampton, author, cited in: Article Study into near-death experiences, presented by British news outlet BBC News, Jane Dreaper, health correspondent, 18. September 2008

Quotes by Mellen-Thomas Benedict

Personal avowals

My first question when I was before the Light was "Are you God?"I didn’t believe in God at all. The Light is really, as I know now, the oversoul matrix of our system and the sum-total of everything we have ever been to this point. It is, itself, evolving as we are evolving, so the Light seems to know you. It knows you individually and discretely because your light is a direct part of it. I call it the Great Self. When I asked the Light "Are You God?" – and the light speaks to you in a way that you will understand – the Light said to me "Who and what is not God?" Interview with Mellen-Thomas Benedict, most researched US American near-death experiencer, inventor, author, Interview with Mellen-Thomas Benedict, presented by web edition of US American Wisdom Magazine, Edie Weinstein Moser, interfaith minister and social worker, 2009

I asked God,

"What is the best religion on the planet? Which one is right?"

And God said with great love,

"I don't care. It does not matter what religion you are."

What incredible grace! They come and they go, they change. Buddhism has not been here forever, Catholicism has not been here forever, and they are all about to become more enlightened. More light is coming into all systems now. There will be lots of people fighting about it, one religion against the next, believing that only they are right. Everyone thinks they own God, the religions and philosophies, especially the religions because they form big organizations around their philosophy. When God said, "I don't care," I immediately understood that it is for us to care about. It is important, because we are the caring beings. It matters to us and that is where it is important. God does not care if you are Protestant, Buddhist, or whatever. It is all a blooming facet of the whole. It is not the end of each religion, but we are talking about the same God. Live and let live. Each has a different view; it is all important. Testimonial by Mellen-Thomas Benedict, most researched US American near-death experiencer, inventor, author, Near-Death Experience of the Light, presented by Spirit of Change, May / June 2004

The Light explained to me that there is no death. We are immortal beings. We have already been alive forever! I realized that we are part of a natural living system that recycles itself endlessly. Report of his near-death experience by Mellen-Thomas Benedict, most researched US American near-death experiencer, inventor, author, Journey Through The Light And Back, Gazelle Distribution Trade, September 2009

About three months later a friend said I should get tested, so I went and got the scans and so forth. I really felt good, so I was afraid of getting bad news. I remember the doctor at the clinic looking at the before and after scans, saying, "Well, there is nothing here now." I said, "Really, it must be a miracle." He said "No, these things happen; they are called spontaneous remission." He acted very unimpressed. But here was a miracle, and I was impressed, even if no one else was. Report of his near-death experience by Mellen-Thomas Benedict, most researched US American near-death experiencer, inventor, author, Journey Through The Light And Back'', Gazelle Distribution Trade, September 2009

I look at things from three levels now that I have had 27 years to go back to the Light and get more and more layers. I would say that my first experience was a "wonder child experience". It was wonderful. It was amazing. Interview with Mellen-Thomas Benedict, most researched US American near-death experiencer, inventor, author, Interview with Mellen-Thomas Benedict, presented by web edition of US American Wisdom Magazine, Edie Weinstein Moser, interfaith minister and social worker, 2009

I travelled the world studying [faith healing] [...] I have seen the most amazing miracles [...] I would give [...] healers the first chance. I would give a miracle the first chance, I really would. The universe is one giant miracle and you are part of that. Audio interview with Mellen-Thomas Benedict, most researched US American near-death experiencer, inventor, author, Mellen on the Joyce Keller Show, presented by the US American The Joyce Keller Show, WGBB AM 1240, Long Island, New York, host Joyce Keller, US American television and radio host, psychic medium, author, aired 18. Juli 2007

Preplanned last words to be written on his grave stone by a famous near-deather convinced of swift reincarnation

2012 is definitely a sign post, certainly not the end of the world. It's a cosmological sign post, too as a complete circle around our galaxy. [...] It represents the ending of ancient prophecy. [...]The last prophecy that there is that's legitimate is 2060. That also dealt with the end of the world. [...] There have been so many prophecies of the end of the world through history. [...] We will finally wake up and realize that the world is not going to be end any time soon. But these are sign posts of the end of the end times.Certainly there are cosmological cycles and karmic cycles that we go through. [...] So, really nothing to worry about. Audio interview with Mellen-Thomas Benedict, most researched US American near-death experiencer, inventor, author, Messages From The Light, part 9 of 12, presented by US American talk radio show Coast to Coast AM, host George Noory (*1950), aired 2. April 2009, YouTube film, minute 5:44, 9:48 minutes duration, posted by Nakedprayer 17. November 2009

Moreover the universe doesn't forget. There are many sides to the question of Karma, but every choice of who and how to be is a choice for great consequence, as all of our choices reverberate throughout the ages. Thousands of reports of near death experiences, as reflected in such bestselling books as Dannion Brinkley's Saved by the Light [1995] or Betty J. Eadie, Embraced by the Light [1992] (which calibrates at 595), confirm that we shall eventually have to accept responsibility for every thought, word and deed that we generate, and will experience exactly the same suffering we've caused. It's in this sense that we create our own heaven or hell. The universe holds its breath as we choose, instant by instant, which pathway to follow: For the universe, the very essence of life itself, is highly conscious. Every act, thought, and choice, adds to a permanent mosaic. Our decisions ripple through the universe of consciousness to affect the lives of all. Lest this idea be considered merely mystical or fanciful, let's remember that fundamental tenet of the new theoretical physics: Everything in the universe is connected with everything else.Dr. David R. Hawkins, Power vs. Force. The Hidden Determinants of Human Behavior, chapter 9, S. 184, Hay House, February 2002

Englische Texte – English section on Near death research

List of distinct elements of the neardeath experience (NDE)

American white pelicanGuerrero Negro, Baja California Sur

From his study of 150 people who had clinically died or almost died, the US American psychiatrist, parapsychologist, philosopher, and neardeath researcher Raymond A. Moody, M.D., Ph.D. (*1944) found nine experiences common to most people who have had a near death experience:

Assimilation and integration, understanding (via Quantum physics) what had happened during the NDE, weaving rational understanding with nonlinear concepts, returning almost daily to the light.

"I look at things from three levels now that I have had 27 years to go back to the Light and get more and more layers. I would say that my first experience was a "wonder child experience". It was wonderful. It was amazing." Interview with Mellen-Thomas Benedict, most researched US American near-death experiencer, inventor, author, Interview with Mellen-Thomas Benedict, presented by web edition of US American Wisdom Magazine, Edie Weinstein Moser, interfaith minister and social worker, 2009

After a neardeath experience or also a mystical or cosmic-oneness-type experiences (EHE or OBE) people find their outlook on life and the course of their lives changed. Neardeathers and transcendent experiencers report that they...

༺༻

Post-NDE feature

Remark

1.

Appreciate life more fully.

2.

Experience increased feelings of self-worth.

3.

Have a more compassionate regard for others and for all life.

4.

Feel a heightened ecological sensitivity and protective concern.

5.

Experience a decreased interest in purely materialistic and self-seeking values.

6.

Are no longer attracted to the rewards of competitive ladder-scaling taken for granted in the business and professional world.

Parnia and other NDE researchers conclude significantly that "the occurrence of lucid well structured thought processes together with reasoning and memory formation when the brain ceases functioning and the clinical criteria of death are met, suggest that the human mind and consciousness may continue to function at the end of life...!"

Parnia's studies raise a dilemma regarding the existing scientific view on the relationship between the human consciousness and the brain function.

About 50-100 million Americans (20-40% of the population of the United States) have had one or more ADC experiences. That is why after-death communications provide convincing evidence for life after death.

Audio links (engl.)

Audio IONS' Conversation at the Edge lecture series with Michael Murphy (*1930) US American co-founder of the Esalen Institute, California, fellow of the Integral Institute, key figure of the Human Potential Movement, author, Charles T. Tart, Ph.D. (*1937) US American professor of psychology, parapsychologist, consciousness researcher, co-founder of transpersonal psychology, president of ISSSEEM, author, Life After Death: Assessing the Evidence, presented by Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS), Shift in Action, filmed 14. October 2005, 1:19:08 duration, uploaded 27. August 2008

Audio and video links (engl.) – Eben Alexander

Audio interview with Eben Alexander III, M.D. (*1953) US American neuroscientist, neurosurgeon, near death experiencer, author, Rethinking The Near Death Experience Interview, presented by US American Radio 1070 WINA, host Jennifer Till, 60 minutes duration 23. April 2011 Link gelöscht

Video presentation Eben Alexander III, M.D. (*1953) US American neuroscientist, neurosurgeon, near death experiencer, author, You Can Get There ... From Here, presented at 23rd Professional Seminar 2012, sponsored by The Monroe Institute, 45:12 minutes duration, posted 27. March 2012

Audio Interview with P. M. H. Atwatercinemind.com/atwater (*1937) US American writer, researcher on life and death issues, New Thought spirituality, Dannion Brinkley, presented by suspended US American web radio station Beyond the Ordinary, hosts Nancy Lorenz and Elena Young, 60 minutes duration, aired December 2003-10. September 2003

Audio interview with Mellen-Thomas Benedict, most researched US American near death experiencer, Near Death Experience, presented by I Dare You Radio, host Angela Treat Lyon, sponsored by Terri Levine, CoachInstitute.com, 15:28 minutes duration, aired 24. January 2008

Audio interviews with Mellen-Thomas Benedict, most researched US American near-death experiencer, presented by US American web radio station KKUP, program Vibrational Voyage, host Anthony J. McGettigan

Audio interview with Mellen-Thomas Benedict, most researched US American near death experiencer, reporter, You Are What You Love, presented by unnamed web radio show, host Vaishali, 54:00 minutes duration, aired March 2009

Audio interview with Mellen-Thomas Benedict, most researched US American near death experiencer, Messages From The Light, presented by US American web radio station Coast to Coast, host George Noory, aired 2. April 2009, YouTube film, posted by Nakedprayer 17. November 2009

Audio and video links (engl.) – Betty Eadie

Audio interview with Betty Eadie (*1942) US American author on near-death experiences (NDEs), near-death experiencer after an operation at age 31, Embraced By The Light, presented by US American radio show Women Speak Out, host Ljuba Halevi, aired 16. August 2000 Link deleted

Audio and video links (engl.) – Bruce Greyson

Video panel discussion (excerpt) by Bruce Greyson, M.D., Ph.D., US American professor of psychiatric medicine, Carlson professor of psychiatry and neurobehavioral sciences, NDE researcher, Division of Perceptual Studies, University of Virginia, Consciousness Without Brain Activity: Near Death Experiences, sponsored by The United Nations, Beyond the Mind-Body Problem: New Paradigms in the Science of Consciousness, New York City, 11. September 2008, presented by The Nour Foundation, 2011, YouTube film, 15:45 minutes duration, posted 26. June 2011

Video interviews with Kenneth Ring, Ph.D. (*1936) US American professor emeritus of psychology, University of Connecticut, near-death studies researcher, co-founder of the International Association for Near-Death Studies (IANDS),YouTube film, posted 25. January 2011

Audio and video links (engl.) – Sam Parnia

Audio interview with Sam Parnia, M.D., US American assistant professor of medicine, State University of New York, Stony Brook, leader of the AWARE Study of near-death experiences involving many hospitals in the UK and US, University of Southampton, author of What Happens When We Die. A Groundbreaking Study into the Nature of Life and Death, 2006, What happens to us when we die?, BBC Radio 4 Today, 4:25 minutes duration, 18. September 2008

Video TV interview with Sam Parnia, M.D., US American assistant professor of medicine, State University of New York, Stony Brook, leader of the AWARE Study of near-death experiences involving many hospitals in the UK and US, University of Southampton, author, Sam Parnia on MSNBC, YouTube film, 5:38 minutes duration, posted 28. September 2009